The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Attending the Banquet

In the capital city, the Pei mansion.

Although it had snowed heavily during the day, the evening brought a clear sky after the snow, creating a unique atmosphere.

The palace banquet was held to honor General Wei Yuan, who had guarded the border for many years. Now that he was returning to the capital, it was time to reward him properly.

All ministers of the third rank and above, as well as the imperial relatives, were invited.

The Pei family was prominent, with Prime Minister Pei at its helm. Moreover, Pei Qingyan had become a young hero during his years at the border. It was said that General Wei Yuan admired him greatly and had praised him multiple times in front of the emperor.

This palace banquet was likely not just about drinking and celebration.

Pei Lingyi had dressed up early, showcasing her natural beauty. She didn’t need much makeup, as her features were already exquisite.

However, for the Imperial palace banquet, she had to dress more elaborately. Her mother had prepared a winter outfit for her, consisting of a light pink soft smoke gauze skirt with embroidered peonies. The outfit complemented her fair skin, making her look even more gentle.

A orchid flower tassel hairpin was inserted diagonally into her hair, with the lan flower carved exquisitely. The tassel swayed gently as she moved, complementing the strands of hair hanging down to her waist.
It was hard to decide where to look.

Luoxu brought over a cloak made of woven gold brocade with a lining of high-quality white fox fur. It was warm and cozy, and Pei Lingyi looked like a delicate and elegant young lady.

When Pei Qingyan arrived, he saw Pei Lingyi dressed up, and his eyes lingered on her for a moment. He couldn’t help but sigh; she had grown even more beautiful, and he wondered who would be lucky enough to marry her.

“Brother, you’re here?” Pei Lingyi’s voice was soft and gentle, a tone she only used with those close to her.

“Our family’s Lingyi is indeed a beauty. She might be the most beautiful woman in the capital,” Pei Qingyan said with a smile, walking over slowly.

“I don’t know which lucky man will marry you,” he added.

Pei Lingyi took his arm without hesitation, her voice gentle. “You’re always teasing me, brother. As for marriage, I don’t know which woman will be lucky enough to become my sister-in-law.”

“You’re a little ingrate. You know I have no interest in romantic matters,” Pei Qingyan said, his expression changing slightly as he thought of something.
“I saw Xie Chengjun the other day, that old-fashioned man. I thought he would have a son by now, but he’s still unmarried. It’s strange. Maybe his mother hasn’t found him a suitable partner.”

“Maybe Brother Xie is like you, not willing to settle,” Pei Lingyi mentioned it casually.

“Pfft, even when Princess Zhaoren was interested in him, he rejected her. Does he think he’s too good for anyone? Maybe he wants to marry a fairy from the heavens?”

The mention of this brought back memories of the past, when the entire capital was abuzz with the news. But in the end, it all came to nothing, and Princess Zhaoren married someone else, while Xie Chengjun remained unmarried.

At the time, Pei Qingyan could understand why his friend had rejected the princess. After all, his friend had big ambitions, and becoming a prince consort would have limited his opportunities to serve the country. But now that his friend was getting older, how had he managed to avoid marriage?

Pei Qingyan thought he would have to ask his friend about it next time they met, to learn from his experience.

“Brother, you should worry about yourself,” Pei Lingyi said, her small face hidden behind a layer of white fur, but her voice betrayed her amusement. “Tonight’s palace banquet, I heard General Wei Yuan intends to offer his daughter to you.”

“What? How did you know?” Pei Qingyan’s face showed his incredulity, and he couldn’t believe it.

“Well, brother, you’re not getting any younger,” Pei Lingyi said with a sly smile.
“I’ve met Miss Jiang, and she’s indeed a talented and brave young woman from a noble family. If she really becomes your wife, it wouldn’t be a bad match.”

She looked like a fluffy fox, but her eyes sparkled with mischief, making it hard to get angry with her.

“You, you, you… you’re plotting against me!” Pei Qingyan stuttered, his face red with frustration. He had no interest in women, and the Pei family was already powerful. His marriage, like his sister’s, would require careful consideration.

Although he had managed to avoid it these past few years…

Now that he had returned to the capital, Pei Qingyan had prepared himself to marry a gentle and virtuous lady from a noble family.

He didn’t expect romance, but he hoped for mutual respect and harmony in his marriage. However, when he thought about General Wei Yuan’s daughter, he couldn’t see a promising future.

He didn’t have high expectations for his future wife, but he didn’t want someone like Jiang Shuyan either. Everyone knew she had a fiery temper and was as strong as an ox. Although Pei Qingyan was impulsive, he had imagined his future wife to be someone gentle and elegant, like his sister, or a demure and shy lady.

Someone like Jiang Shuyan didn’t seem like a woman to him. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl, and he had his sister egging him on.

Pei Lingyi said, “Maybe tonight will bring you good news, brother.”

Pei Qingyan gritted his teeth and forced a smile. “Thanks for the good wishes, sister.”

He looked at his sister’s sparkling eyes and thought to himself: She’s my sister, I can’t scold her.

As they bantered, the night deepened.

The palace was illuminated, showcasing its grandeur and luxury. Pei Lingyi got out of the carriage with Pei Qingyan’s help, her beauty shining under the lights.

Xiao Yan wore luxurious clothes with cloud patterns, but his face was pale, and his eyes lacked their usual sharpness. He stood in the shadows, watching the scene.

He hadn’t left the mansion in days, recovering from his injuries and investigating the attempted assassination. He hadn’t planned to attend tonight’s banquet.

However, he had been dreaming of a figure – a woman with a delicate posture and a face like a peach blossom, her eyes filled with tears. He remembered the soft touch in his dream, but when he woke up, he felt lost.

The figure in his dream resembled the girl standing under the lights, smiling and radiant.

He held a plum blossom hairpin in his hand, exquisitely crafted. It seemed to be the one she had lost when they fell to the ground that day.

He didn’t know why, but when he told her to escape, he had somehow ended up keeping the hairpin.

His expression was complex as he gazed at the hairpin for a long time before slowly walking away…